Down the two of you head, down stairs and along you head along twisting corridors, talking a hundred leagues an hour about everything and nothing all at once.

"I hope you don't mind, but I brought a little something for the new arrival?"

A beaming smile- Bilbo is always so thoughtful.

Up different stairs and along different passageways, the conversation happy as larks and lambs.

"I picked it up in Lake-town last time I was there as a reminder of my Adventure."

Into the nursery- Primula beams at you both.

Little Frodo coos and gurgles- such a big noise for one so tiny!

Hugs all around- the best kind.

"I brought you a little something."

Beautifully wrapped- good old Bilbo- was there ever any doubt?

Shining paper and glittering ribbons- how beautiful!

Present opened…

"Oh, Bilbo, it's beautiful…"

A wondrous confection of glass and wire, it sparkles in the late-evening sun that shines in through the nursery windows.

"Never thought I'd get to use it..."

A pang of sadness, but quickly forgotten as Frodo coos with glee in his mother's arms, reaching towards the sparkles- Bilbo beams with delight.

"…and then along comes this little chap. Nothing's ever bought as isn't useful, as my old dad used to say!"

You smile, remembering old Bungo. Primula frowns though.

"Bilbo, we can't… this must have cost…"

A smile and a shake of the head.

"I insist."

Frodo gurgles and babbles at the sparkles as they dance just out of his tiny grasp and all Primula's arguments are lost.

"See? Even Frodo agrees with me."

Your wife's frown fades, replaced with smiles all around.

"I'd suggest you put it over his cot."

Such a beautiful present- though it is but wire and glass the late-evening sunlight turns into something magical- something golden and glorious...

Dragons and moons and stars dance in the dusk, all a-twirling and a-twinkling…

"Such a beautiful present, Bilbo… it's too much."

Bilbo smiles.

"It's nothing more than he deserves."

You can't help but agree.

This is a work of fan fiction, written because the author has an abiding love for the works of J R R Tolkien. The characters, settings, places, and languages used in this work are the property of the Tolkien Estate, Tolkien Enterprises, and possibly New Line Cinema, except for certain original characters who belong to the author of the said work. The author will not receive any money or other remuneration for presenting the work on this archive site. The work is the intellectual property of the author, is available solely for the enjoyment of Henneth Annûn Story Archive readers, and may not be copied or redistributed by any means without the explicit written consent of the author.